The No Child Left Inside Act (NCLI)[3] would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) [4]to require states, as a prerequisite to receiving implementation grants, to develop environmental literacy plans for children in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve that include environmental education standards and teacher training. Teacher training would include funding to train teachers to deliver high quality environmental education and utilize the local environment as an extension of the classroom.

Camps and NCLI

Camps can play an important role in these environmental literacy plans. Camp experiences are uniquely poised to provide children and youth with the sense of wonder and excitement so essential to encouraging scientific inquiry. Environmental education has been shown to improve student achievement across core subject areas and increase engagement in learning. In addition, getting kids outside and active promotes a healthy lifestyle that is essential to fighting obesity and reducing symptoms associated with attention deficit disorder, depression, and stress.

NCLI and Education Reform

Right now, Congress is considering the reauthorization of the ESEA. The current ESEA has defined the core content that all students in the United States must learn to be considered proficient at each grade level. Currently, this includes content standards in reading, math, and science. Environmental education is not included. In many school districts, this has translated into teaching only those subjects and standards that are assessed.

Environmental education must be a national priority. Hands-on, outdoor interaction with the environment enhances student achievement — not only in science, but also in reading, math, and social studies. By investing in education that will grow the next generation of innovators, scientists, and environmental stewards, we will prepare our workforce of the future to meet the many economic, environmental, and energy-related challenges our country is facing. — Representative John Sarbanes (MD-3)

No Child Left Inside Coalition

The American Camp Association has joined with thousands of other organizations into a coalition [5]to advocate for the adoption of the provisions in the NCLI Act when Congress reauthorizes the ESEA.